1944 Steel Penny

FrattLaw

Was at a local dealer today who showed me the most amazing penny. At first I didn't realize what I was looking at, but it was a 1944 steel/zinc penny. He brought it out and gave it to me and said "what do you think about this?" " PCGS AU58 - gee nice penny," was all that I could think to say. Then he goes look at the year and it clicked!

I've never even heard of a 44 Steel penny, 43 coppers get their own Lexus commercials though. He said that there are maybe 7 steel 44 and are much rarer then the 43 copper.

Anyone else ever seen a steel 44? It wouldn't tell me his price, but ya gotta figure its steep. Just thought I'd share a remarkable coin sighting!

Michael


MW Fattorosi Collection

merz2

Michael
It is well known by most Lincoln collectors.Few have had the oppertunity to actually hold/see one in person.

HoundDog

What did the dealer want out it?

wayneherndon

Michael,

We had this one (which is also my icon) for sale sometime back. It was very interesting and fun coin to have. Heritage recently sold an uncertified lower grade one in the Long Beach sale. I was the underbidder on that one.

WH

coppercoins

I saw one sell between undisclosed parties three years ago for $11K. It was a VF with a little bit of the typical darkness found on circ steelies. Nice coin, it was...if wrong planchet errors are your gig.

wondercoin

If you go to my site (www.wondercoin.com) and click on the Museum of Coins (work in progress), you can see a PCGS-MS63 1944 Steel cent. The coin is truly gem in my opinion and should upgrade in the future. PCGS was just being cautious knowing the great value of the coin and the coin has only seen PCGS one time.

Wondercoin

dorkkarl

never seen 1 in person, but it is on-par w/ the 1943 copper in my view. great thread!

K S